Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-01-13

lease from the rule OF the Church.
The new law lifts them from
hole whose slippery walls they dared not
try to climb. Men still "frm in the
faith" have been heard to say that they
would be glad to see some Of the moss
backs out, and many others, who have
been kept out OF influence to make way
for the nepotc appointments OF their
leaders, will breathe a sigh of relief.
TT TAKES EFFECT.
1t is probable that the bill will be
reported to the Senate to-day. 1t will be
referred to Il committee, reported back,
and will then doubtless be acted upon
promptly and sent to the President for
his signature. The whole proceeding
cannot occupy much time, and it is a
foregone conclusion that the measure will
be law before the LIST OF February
Many questions are asked as to the
time when the law will 90 into effect.
This is answered by the general proviso
that the successors to the present officers
shall be appointed upon the expiration
of the terms OF the ncumbents. In the
case of the municipal Offices the present
incumbents will hold their positions until
February, 1887, and as there is no pro-
vision for an election at that time, there
will be no danger OF the offices being con-
tested. In the case OF the Territorial
Delegate, it is thought that Caine, who
has been elected for another term, will
not be disturbed until the spring of 1889,
when his new term expires His old
term expires with the adjournment OF the
present Congress, on the 4th OF March
next, but as the election for the other
term is already over, there is no reason
to believe that his seat will be contested.
The question OF what will be done in
the case OF the men who are now holding
office illegally is one which will doubtless
lead to considerable veXed litigation.
The offices of Territorial Treasurer, Aud
itor of Public Accounts and other places
now held by Mormons, contrary to the
decision of the Supreme Court Of the
Territory, will be about the only thing
to which the Church people can stick,
and even this trouble will undoubtedly
be swept away by good legal tran
ton of the new law.
SYNOPSIS OF THE BILL.
Following is a synopsis OF the bill,
giving all the important points:
l. The wife may be lawful witness
against her husband, except she shall
not be obliged to divulge confidential
matters.
2. Services by attachment instead OF
subpoena will be allowed where there is
reasonable ground for believing that he
or she is an unwilling witness,
3. The officiating minister at a mar
riage, whether legal or otherwise, must
| file certificate of the same in the Pro-
bate Court 1t shall be Immediately re-
corded, and will be regarded as primd
| facie evidence of the facts as set forth. \
fine OF not more than 1000, or imprison-
ment not to exceed two years, or both,
is fixed as punishment for the violation
of this sect ion.
5. Marriages may be otherwise proved
| By this section women are DISTINGUISHED.
6. Ballots or envelops containing bal
| lots must not be marked or numbered.
7. The jurisdiction OF the Probate
Courts is taken away, except in matters
PERTAINING to the administration of es-
| tates.
8. The crime OF incest is defined as
marriage between persons within the
| nj nf init I,A
penalty is three to fifteen years imprison-
ment.
8. Defines adultery and provides the
penalty.
10. Permits prosecutions OF adulteryito
be begun in the same way as other prose
cutions, ignoring the usual limit TO legal
husband and wife.
IL. Defines polygamy and unlawful
cohabitation declares it a felony and
makes a fresh offense of any such asso-
citation after an indictment is made or q
proceeding begun.
-. Disapproves all Utah Legislation
in favor of illegitimate children to in
herit their fathers estate or share in its
distribution, provided this shall not APP
ply to children made legitimate by the
Edmunds law nor to those born within
twelve months after the passage of this
law.
ID. Nothing in this act is to be con-
strued to repeal the Edmunds law.
Il. Discrepancies the Church of
Jesus Christ OF Latter-day Saints by
annulling the act OF the Utah Legista-
ture.
10. Annuls and disapproves the incor-
poration of the Emigration Society.
l,,t,, -
General OF the United States to cause
and dispose OF their property and assets.
II. Gives right OF appeal to United
States Supreme Court in polygamy and
unlawful cohabitation cases, and sum
mary measure to speed such writ or APP
peal. One year is the limit in which
such appeal may be taken.
IS, Confers on all religious denomina-
tons the right to hold ten acres in any
town or city and fifty acres elsewhere,
the building to be erected thereon not to
exceed $4,000.
10. The powers OF Justices of the Peace
all extended to U. S. Commissioners.
20. Marshals and deputies are peace
officers with all the powers OF sheriffs
and their deputies.
81. Knocks all land relating to the
Nauvoo Legion, and provides for the or
ganization Of militia, and gives the Coy
ernor tine right to appoint the general
officers.
%. Annus all grants OF law, water and
timber and all special privileges to any
religious corporation Instructs the
Attorney-General to enforce the section
%. Gives the right OF dover "a, un.
less she have released the same. etc.
Limits the term 'wife" to the first wife
in Norman mnrrinnns